Week Thirty-Seven

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Fiesta Latina en la Casa Blanca (Latin Celebration at the White House)

The President and guests danced the Salsa as the la Casa Blanca was filled with the sounds of Latin music. In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, President Barack Obama and the First Lady welcomed Latin performers to the White House. Guests included Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, and members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. Performers included Jose Feliciano, Pete Escovedo, Marc Anthony, Gloria Estefan, Tito el Bambino, Thalia, and event producer, Sheila E. Jimmy Smits, Eva Longoria, and George Lopez hosted the event.

Obama Meets with Spain’s Prime Minister

Earlier in the day, the President met with Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero. The two leaders discussed world issues including the global economy and the situation in Afghanistan. The United States and Spain are NATO allies.

The First American President to Observe Diwali

President Obama observed the Hindu holiday of Diwali, or festival of lights, in the East Room of the White House. The occasion marked the first time that an American President has observed the holiday. Sri Narayanachar Digalakote, a Sanskrit scholar and ordained Hindu priest chanted Asatoma Sadgamaya while the President lit the ceremonial lamp himself. In a statement, the Hindu American Foundation said, “Never before had a sitting U.S. President personally celebrated the Diwali holiday, and with that one gesture, two million Hindu-Americans felt a bit more like they belonged -- one more reason to feel at home.”

Friday, October 16, 2009

The President Remembers Katrina

President Obama spent time in New Orleans, acknowledging the challenges faced by residents since Hurricane Katrina. First, Obama visited with children who lived through the tragedy in their neighborhoods. He encouraged them to continue to do well in school and overcome obstacles. The President also spoke to residents at a town hall in New Orleans.

Monday, October 19, 2009

Stimulus Saves 250,000 Teacher Jobs

The Administration released a report showing 250,000 teacher jobs across the country had been saved by Recovery Act funds. President Obama continued the focus on education on this day by meeting with the winners of the National Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge including African-American student Kalief Rollins, who hails from Carson, CA. The President then visited nearby Silver Spring, Maryland to spend classroom time with third and fourth grade students at Viers Mill Elementary School. Telling the students, “I wanted to come by and introduce myself,” Obama encouraged them to “read, read, read!”

Astronomy Night at the White House

Joined by Astronauts Buzz Aldrin and Sally Ride, the First Family welcomed local middle school students to stargaze. The White House South Lawn was lined with telescopes and science exhibits featuring moon rocks, mars rocks, meteorites and more for Astronomy Night.